What they drink in the Caribbean: an overview of traditional alcohol that you can bring home when the borders reopen

In early March, my good friend Andrey returned from a vacation he spent in the Caribbean. As a law-abiding citizen, he decided to self-isolate at home for a while. I fully supported his decision and, so that he would not be very bored, I called him every day and we talked for a long time.

He told me about the islands he had visited – Jamaica, Cuba, Barbados. But you know that I couldn’t help but ask him about my favorite topic – alcoholic beverages.

Andrei was happy to tell me about rum, the cocktails he tried and about beer (he is a big fan of foamy drink). I want to share with you my newly acquired knowledge.

What alcohol is considered traditional in the Caribbean

The islands of the Caribbean are not only the sea, the sun and kilometers of beaches. Local residents, of course, know how to enjoy life and willingly share this skill with others. It is not surprising that most of the “tropical” cocktails come from the Caribbean. But, of course, the cult drink here is rum.

The climatic features of the Caribbean islands are not at all suitable for growing grapes. Therefore, winemaking is practically non-existent here. But sugar cane, malt and hops took root as well as possible.

But none of the drinks for which they are used is traditional for the Caribbean. In fact, the British and Spaniards “introduced” the locals to alcohol. This happened during the active colonization of the islands and relatively recently – about 450 years ago.

Strong alcohol

The only hard liquor worth mentioning in the Caribbean is, of course, rum. Its mass production was made possible by the availability of cheap labor. Huge sugarcane plantations were maintained by slaves.

By the end of the 200th century, there were more than 0,5 factories in the Caribbean that sent their products in the amount of about 40 million liters for export. Now there are more than XNUMX brands of rum, well-known all over the world to connoisseurs of quality alcohol.

However, the first production experiments were not very successful. The drink turned out to be “rough”, cloudy, dark. Only the lower strata of the population drank it. The situation was radically changed by Facundo Bacardi, who significantly improved the production technology. His rum was lighter, clearer, sweeter. Aging in oak barrels provides a rich taste and aroma.

In Cuba, there is even a museum of rum – this is sufficient proof of the “cult” drink in the Caribbean.

Weak alcohol

The most popular weak alcohol among the local population is beer. A light lager is the best way to quench your thirst in the heat. Among the most famous varieties:

  • Red Stripe (Jamaica);
  • Banks (Barbados);
  • Biere Lorriane (Martinique);
  • Bucanero (Куба);
  • Carib and Stag (Trinidad and Tobago);
  • Caybrew (Cayman Islands);
  • Kalik and Sands (Bahamas);
  • Piton (Saint Lucia);
  • Prestige (Haiti);
  • Wadadli (Antigua-i-Barbuda).

Carib beer is one of the most popular in the Caribbean; maybe it’s the name.

A good alternative to beer is sangria, a drink based on wine with the addition of water and fruits, which has long been “taken accustomed” on the islands. But almost all wine is imported – Argentinean, Chilean, Spanish.

Cocktails

Many cocktails invented in the Caribbean are now known all over the world and are considered classics:

  1. Coco Loco (Coco Loco). Invented on the beaches of the Dominican Republic. The classic version is served in coconut. The combination of rum and coconut is very refreshing.
  2. Mojito (Mojito). Cuban cocktail. Ice and mint are the best way to help cool in the heat. Rum gives the necessary strength.
  3. Pina Colada (Pina Colada). Invented in Puerto Rico. Ingredients – rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice. The cocktail is sweet but not cloying.
  4. Cuba Libre (Cuba Libre). Simple, like all ingenious. There are only three components: rum, Coca-Cola and lime juice.
  5. Daiquiri (Daiquiri). Another invention of Cuban bartenders. The recipe is simple: rum, sugar syrup, lime juice. Ernest Hemingway played a major role in popularizing the cocktail.

Pina Colada is a cocktail traditionally loved by women.

What alcohol to bring as a souvenir from the Caribbean

The best gift for yourself and friends, if they appreciate good alcohol, is, of course, a bottle of rum. The first brand that comes to everyone’s mind is, perhaps, the Cuban Bacardi. But there are other, less well-known brands that are comparable in quality to it and even superior:

  • Captain Morgan and Appleton Estate (Jamaica, cost from 1000 rubles);
  • Havana Club and Legendario (Cuba, the price starts from 2000 rubles for 0,7 liters);
  • Zacapa (Guatemala, from 5000 rubles);
  • Ron Barcelo, Brugal and Matusalem (Dominican Republic, cost from 2000 rubles);
  • Mount Gay and Bumbu (Barbados, from 3000 rubles);
  • Myers, Old Pascas, Ron Rico and Angostura (Trinidad and Tobago, price starts from 2000 rubles per bottle);
  • Chairman’s Reserve (Saint Lucia, from 1500 rubles);
  • Rhum JM and Clement (Martinique, price per bottle starts from 1400 rubles).

The highest quality of Caribbean rum is recognized by specialists all over the world.

Caribbean rum, especially produced in Cuba or Jamaica, is the same kind of quality mark as “French wine”, “Scotch whiskey”, “English ale”.

The drink is very popular both at home and abroad. It is also part of many cocktails, which have long been entrenched in cult status.

Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!

Do you associate the Caribbean exclusively with rum or remind you of some other alcoholic drinks? Do you have a favorite “tropical” cocktail?

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